After the Rain

Went down to see Sid the River today to see how it he was fairing after yesterday's floods. From images I've seen he was as high as 1.8m against this guage and circa 1m below the footbridge.

I wonder how the people feel who have just bought the house on the far side of the river. Especially noting that next door's garden wall has fallen into the river.


There was a helpful sign up saying "ford closed" but I'd like to think most people got that anyway.

Cracked open a birthday present this afternoon, a scratch off map of the world. It's not terribly geographically correct but who cares (perhaps I do just a tincy bit?).

No Maldives to scratch off so just as well I haven't been there. Bit miffed I couldn't chalk off Tristan da Cunha though. And dithered about Hawaii. I've been to the US so gleefully rubbed most of the states off but couldn't quite bring myself to scratch off something that isn't on the same continental shelf as the rest of the USA. Also not sure if I can scratch off Antarctica as I've been to Signy Island , but didn't step foot on it. My girls helped but after China and Australia (I did Canada and US) they are looking forward to me travelling to smaller countries the future. To that note I realise I hadn't yet visitied Luxembourg. Must do.

It's Raining

No surprises there given the forecasts we've had in the last few weeks. A timely launch yesterday of the Environment Agency's realtime flood warning map. This was the screen shot yesterday evening.

And it doesn't get better - at 1306 BST today.

We are slap bang under the severe weather warning in the South West. Exeter doesn't tend to get overly affected as it has a decent flood plain but other local areas are suffering.

Perhaps we'll end up like Doggerland?

And in Germany a very rare map has turned up on a new-fangled modern day 19th century book. 

In between the day job, weather spotting and old map drooling, I popped to Dublin last weekend for an RICS Governing Council and AGM.  All somewhat busy - and so we should be - with the inauguration of the 131st president, Alan Collett (on the left of photo)

the launch of the the Valuation Registration Service in Ireland, a talk from the Chairman of NAMA (National Asset Management Agency), the AGM and, of course, Governing Council.

Very little time to see Dublin, as you'd imagine, but did spot this little beauty on the corner of the Guinness factory.  In case you can't read it it says "Top of step 8ft above weighbridge at Cornhill".

The steps have long since gone but I was pleased to share this other geomatics surveyors from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland who hadn't come across it.  And what good craic they were!

Arty Maps

Small pleasures this week.

Attended my daughter's arts evening and was very taken buy this picture, as you'd expect.
And just opened a belated birthday present. A small mirror. With an incredibly cool back.

Oh, and I revisted the fallen over trig pillar on Monday.

I first visited this at the beginning of June.  I was pleased to see it is now upright again.  The farmer has stood it back up. Had a quick chat to him about it and mentioned that the previous owner wanted it taken off his hands. "No, I quite like it," he commented. "And, anyway, isn't it meant to stay around here?" I pointed to the distant field and said "Well, it should be over in that field. Now it's been moved the Ordnance Survey can't use it." I suspect he had no idea what it's for. He just likes the look of it. Can't knock that can you? Oh, and I have a standing invite to visit it whenever I wish. How sweet!

Off to Dublin on Sunday. Aside from visiting the HQ of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland am wondering if I'll be able to discover an Irish trig. To my (sad) excitement found that there is a trigpointing Ireland website. I suspect that I won't be able to bag my first Irish trig as I'll be transportless, but you never know...

Navigation the Teenage Way

I'm feeling better now so drove up to North Devon today to meet some relatives and, of course, bag a little something.  Decided my Ten Tors 45 miler daughter could map read us there.  "So," I query driving across Exmoor, "which road am I looking out for next?"  "Oh, the B something something 4".  "Umm, that's not very specific," I laughed.  "Sorry Mum," she replied, "it's the B something something something 4".  Honestly.  I blame the parents.

First off spotted a cut benchmark and had to take a photo.  Reconfirmed with  my relatives, as if they needed it, that I'm a bit odd.

Then bagged Selworthy.  Not my best photo but hey ho.  And I really have no idea why I keep wearing white clothes when trig bagging as they are always getting grubby!
 
On the way home we stopped off at Dunkery Beacon. I couldn't quite see the blue trig triangle on the map but presumed it was hidden under the 360 deg viewpoint they mark the beacon with too.  We appeared there to find not only the massive cairn but a Jublilee beacon ready for lighting this evening.

Slight panic on my part. I thought they'd built the bonfire on top of the trig!  Fortunately I checked the trigpointing website to find, to my relief, it is no longer there.

I suspect that trig pillars don't burn well anyway.

Arm Chair Bagging

Continuing the theme of vicarious trig bagging my brother-in-law bagged a trig last Saturday.  Coire Garbh. Again in Scotland but he did it the hard way, walking up and down the hill on his own two legs.  Thanks John - nice one!

Show Off

I haven't been well for a few weeks and it now appears that I have to trig bag vicariously.

However there are some that are now taking this to extremes as evidenced by this photo I received today from the incoming CO of HMS GANNET. It's Loudoun Hill and they were here today to land some wood for Jubilee Beacon lighting. Their CO jumped out to take a photo much to the utter bemusement of the other crew. He has apologised for not photographing the flush bracket or trig plate but under the circumstances I'll let him off.

Next time Andy.

Ivy, Formerly Known as Trig

Bagged a quick couple of trigs today on the way up to Dulverton. The first, Longstones, was easy to find but the plug was impossible to see as the trig is slowly turning into an ivy plant.

At least you can still easily see the FB.

The second, The Mount, was an easy map read up the hill but I was glad I'd gone for the welly footwear option as the path soon turned into a stream. I then jumped over a hedge into a bog. I liked this one - quite a regal trig sitting on its plinth.

And in case you need proof I was there - with an increasing number of grey hairs (eek!)...